Matthews Brothers Engineering's constant evolution

Matthews Brothers Engineering has embraced innovative technologies during the development of its updated multi-purpose asphalting vehicles. Roads & Infrastructure breaks down what these technologies mean for the industry.

Each system within Matthews Brothers Engineering’s equipment aims to achieve greater levels of consistency and quality for bitumen spraying.

Matthews Brothers Engineering’s (MBE) equipment has been more than 100 years in the making. Throughout that time the company has ensured and excelled, particularly when it comes to industry technologies, regulations and processes.

During World War II, MBE was identified by the military and asked to manufacture equipment to support the Allies. In the 1950s-60s, MBE pioneered the bulk wheat handling elevator machine. Then in the 1970s, it won a contract to develop bitumen melting kettles, to be supplied to the Victorian Country Roads Board.

Each of these innovations culminated in the company’s first developments in bitumen spraying technology in the 1980s, a major milestone that helped shape the company that it is today.

Quality and experience have been two of the main contributing factors to this continued innovation, says third generation employee and MBE Managing Director Paul Matthews.

“We’ve been able to adapt very well, at the drop of a hat really,” he says.

As one of the industry’s most experienced stakeholders, Paul Matthews has direct input into MBE’s machinery, as well as what operators require and desire.

He says this has resulted in machinery that can deliver quality outcomes. One such machine is the company’s Tack Coater, or MPAV (Multi-Purpose Asphalting Vehicle).

State of the art

As Matthews explains, having efficient, productive and accurate machinery during road sealing and spraying jobs is essential.

“A wise old man once told me that if the base is ‘no good’, then the road is not going to last,” he says. “If you don’t do the base properly, then there’s no point putting a seal over the top because it’s going to fail anyway.”

MBE’s Tack Coater has predominantly been used as part of bitumen emulsion spraying prior to the application of hot mix asphalt during road construction.

Due to its multi-purpose nature, the Tack Coater has also been used for general road maintenance such as patching, repairs and filling.

One of the largest differentiators of MBE’s Tack Coater is that the machine is fully calibrated, providing boosts in productivity, efficiency and safety.

Calibration is a form of quality control within the machine, which allows accurate selections to ensure that the machine can provide consistent results for a variety of criteria. This includes road speed and distance, viscosity, spray bar adjustments, the pump speed and more.

The hopes of industry bodies, such as the Australian Flexible Pavement Association and Austroads, as well as feedback from clients, indicated towards a future where calibrated Tack Coaters would be preferred.

As such, MBE streamlined its development with the assistance of its partners to develop a suitable solution. As General Manager and Design Manager Richard Bailey explains.

“We see this as an evolution, as we’ve always had the Tack Coater. But this is meant to take it to the next level by delivering a comprehensive package in the vehicle,” Bailey says.

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The system helps to solve what can be a common issue in consistency.

“Some people with the emulsion just kind of spray back and forth,” Bailey says.

“The problem that can create is an uneven distribution, so you could be missing patches. That’s why some associations are pushing for this technology; they want to know what’s going on when it comes to the surface.

“Obviously this improves the quality of the finished job, while also being able to deliver greater longevity.”

Bailey says the calibrated Tack Coater was specifically designed for these applications.

“We provide a premium product,” he says. “We deliver quality and with these demands for policy, we’ve had more customers saying that they need to meet these new demands. Now they’re coming to us asking ‘what can you do for us?’

“We take pride in the quality of what we do. We make sure that it’s right.”

Matthews Brothers Engineering’s Multi-Purpose Asphalting Vehicles include patented technology that’s been developed over multiple decades.

Optional optimisation

As with the majority of MBE’s machinery, MBE’s Tack Coater is customisable.

One of MBE’s hallmark features is the G-TAR (Guaranteed Target Application Rate), an optional feature that has been in development for close to two decades.

This feature, represented by an internal mounted screen in the cab, helps the operator to optimise their control of the machine.

The operator can access spraying parameters not otherwise available. The operator can then use this information to dictate the number and type/s of jets to be used, as well as the desired application rate.

All that’s required from the operator is to change the gear engine speed to achieve the G-TAR. These parameters can also be changed in real time, to ensure that the machine can achieve a consistent finish.

Other optional features include firefighting pumps and reels, additional fuel storage, a hydraulic operated compactor plate loader, diesel burner system, air compressors and more.

Bailey says features such as the G-TAR help to further improve the machines “ease of use”. He adds that MBE can also assist operators who may be inexperienced, to ensure that they can make the most of their time in the machine.

“If we are delivering the sprayer, we can include some training as part of that package. To assist with this knowledge transfer we also provide support and documentation,” he says.

“One of the benefits of COVID was that we were able to develop some instructional videos for our national clients and we’ve been developing that over some time. Clients can now just play these videos over again for operators as they come on board, or they can do refreshers.”

MBE has already taken orders for its updated Tack Coater, with multiple
models already in development, and expectations that more will be developed in the future.

This article was originally published in the July edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.